PROGRAMME SPECIALIST

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Culture and the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Quito Cluster Office, the incumbent ensures the design, implementation and coordination of activities carried out under Major Programme IV (Culture) in the countries covered by the Office (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela). S/he is also responsible for ensuring UNESCO's contribution to the UNCTs (UN Country Team) programmatic work and ‘Delivering as One’ exercise in the field of Culture.  In particular, the incumbent will\:

• Ensure the delivery of the Culture Programme in the countries covered by the Office in line with the Culture Sector's strategies and priorities, the UNESCO Country Programming Documents, the countries’ UNDAFs (United Nations Development Assistance Framework) and other common UN strategic country instruments.
• Maintain close contacts with the concerned national and local authorities in the Quito Cluster and contribute to the development of national cultural policies, as well as to regional cooperation in close consultation with the UNESCO Regional Office for Culture based in Havana.
• Facilitate the coordination of the Culture Programme at sub-regional level by providing guidance to the National Offices, Antennas and Focal Points of the sub-region in the planning and development of programmes, projects and activities of the Culture Sector.
• Provide input, including data and statistics for the preparation of reports and briefings on the implementation of programmes and projects funded by Regular Programme and/or Extrabudgetary funds.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts for the approved Culture Programme by identifying, designing and implementing projects, including with civil society organizations, NGO’s, academia, the private sector and other organizations with culture related programmes.

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of culture, social and human sciences or a related area. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in the field of culture, of which at least 2 years acquired at international level.
• Experience in designing and implementing programmes/projects.
• Proven experience in project management.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Strong negotiating and advocacy skills.
• Good knowledge of UNESCO's work in the field of Culture.
• Familiarity with UNESCO's standard-setting instruments and programmes in the field of culture.
• Ability to supervise staff in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to build, maintain and enhance working relations with national/local authorities, cultural institutions and relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Ability to mobilize resources and build partnerships.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
• Very good IT skills, including knowledge of standard office software (word processing, spreadsheets etc.).

LANGUAGES 

• Excellent knowledge of one of the working languages, i.e. English or French.
• Very good knowledge of Spanish.

EDUCATION

• Relevant training in the field of culture.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Familiarity with the political and cultural context of the Region.

LANGUAGES 

• Good knowledge of the other working languages, i.e. English or French.